I've just realised that I haven't posted details of any of my rides for the last 10 days...
I won't bore you with all of them now, but here's todays wander on the road bike:
Out just after 8 o'clock and headed for Thorner, down the lumpy, bumpy excuse for a road into the village and then up the hill on the other side and out towards Bramham Park where preparations for next weeks Leeds Festival are well underway. I might avoid this area next weekend...
Down the dip at Wothersome where I hit a new max speed of 39.1mph, before climbing the other side a little more slowly
Then the downhill run towards Bramham village, where I turned off just short of the village and headed in the direction of Wetherby along West Woods Road, which is lovely and smooth but a bit boring. Passed by lots of 15 plate Mazda MX-5's (presumably there was a launch for the new model on somewhere?) and up to the delightfully named Wattle Syke roundabout (Jct 45 of the A1(M) and where the A168 and A659 meet) - I went on the shared path here unsurprisingly before stopping for a drink, a bit of sustenance and a photo:
Refreshed, I headed for Boston Spa on the A659, which wasn't as bad as I'd feared for a busy single carriageway A-road.
Cycled through the village (which looked quite nice despite the grey skies) started gaining on a couple of other riders, but a combination of traffic and keeping an eye on pedestrians meant that I didn't quite catch them. Out the far side of the village and they started pulling away from me up the hill towards Tadcaster and then I turned right down Bar Lane heading towards Clifford.
It's quite a narrow lane with high bushes either side and I was pleased not to meet any cars heading in the opposite direction, although I did meet a few walkers and even a couple of runners (actually running).
As I started the slight climb into Clifford village the heavens finally opened so I stopped to put on my waterproof jacket and then plugged on through the village and the descent into Bramham - this is the first time the road bike has been out in the rain so I took it steady.
Had to stop in the middle of the village behind a bus where a chap in a 4x4 pick up stopped right alongside me, so close I could have leaned on his front wing instead of putting my foot down. After letting him go first, I turned up Town Hill for the challenge of the climb and then looped back round to get back onto NCN R66 for the run down to Bramham crossroads.
I stopped briefly to take my jacket off as it had stopped raining and the humidity was horrendous, then enjoyed the downhill blast into Aberford.
Turned left towards Barwick -in-Elmet and passed a mixed peleton from "Valley Striders" (I think...) heading the opposite way, who were all very cheery and said hello.
Up the hill on Cattle Lane, then the rapid descent to the bridge over Cock Beck, before the steady climb into the village itself.
Straight through on Main Street, then Leeds Rd towards Scholes, left at the Coronation Tree and down the hill (usual headwind now very much in my face
) and added a loop around Pendas Way, Manston Lane and Pendas Fields just to add a little more mileage before home.
So, 26.56 miles in 1hr48m at an average of 14.7 mph with 1008ft climbed.
I'm happy enough with that, giving me a new longest distance and most feet climbed on the road bike. Plus it might have been slightly quicker if I'd been 100% sure of the route around Boston Spa and Clifford, so I've got something to aim for next time. That said, looking at the map I might try heading to Tadcaster then then through Towton to Aberford instead, although that really will be virgin territory for me and it does mean a bit more A-road riding.
It was grey and overcast when I set off, there was a 10-15 minute rainy patch and the now almost inevitable headwind, but by the time I got home the sun was out, so I had a good selection of weather today.
Now for a curry and some beer
!So much so that a nice 4th place overall on the run in to Stretham and fifteen cups.
Thankfully I had a feeling he wasn't going to stop & a loud shout of oi plus a few expletives seemed to wake him from his slumber & he slammed his brakes on to allow me to pass unscathed! (he did drive along side & apologise rather sheepishly afterwards, I'm guessing after an ear bashing from his wife!).
